Trent Bridge

Lumb Out To Shine For Notts Then England

Featured News | 23rd November 2011

In his final season at Hampshire before agreeing a three-year deal at Trent Bridge, the left-handed batsman was frustrated to make just a handful of appearances.

After joining the domestic season following the end of the Indian Premier League, Lumb managed only one County Championship game and nine T20 matches before he was struck down by an ankle injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season.

That setback was even more galling for the Johannesburg-born player – son of former Yorkshire opener Richard – considering he had just returned to England's T20 fold after helping them to World T20 glory in May 2010.

After spending the final three months of the campaign on the treatment table, Lumb is now almost back to full fitness.

And after sharpening himself up playing T20 cricket for the Sydney Sixers in Australia's Big Bash before a possible stint with Deccan Chargers in the IPL, the 31-year-old is determined to hit the ground running when he dons the green and gold of his new county.

"It was very frustrating this past summer for me. I had just got back in the England side and I was looking to play a few more games to cement my place in the T20 side," said Lumb.

"So the timing of my injury was far from ideal, but I'm nearly there now and probably back up to about 80 per cent.

"I still think I can get back into the frame at international level. I still think I have a lot to offer, especially in T20, but also maybe one-day wise as well.

"It's something I'm aiming for and I have still got it in me.

"But doing well for Notts is the first and most important thing.

"I was looking for a fresh start. Notts came in and showed their interest and it went from there and so now I'm here I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"I wouldn't say I was bogged down at Hampshire but my future was up in the air about my contract and I wanted to play where I felt like I was wanted.

"Mick showed he was pretty keen and Trent Bridge is somewhere I have always liked playing. I've got a good record here and hopefully that will continue."

Lumb won two one-day trophies during a five-year stint at the Rose Bowl after starting his county career with Yorkshire.

He firmly believes he can add to those successes with his new club and the potential to do so at Notts was a major reason in him moving north.

Lumb is planning to live with his wife, who has family just up the M1 in Leeds, in West Bridgford.

He said: "The club's ambition was a big factor. Notts' record in the County Championship is very good.

"They won it in 2010 and are a club that knows how to win and that winning mentality is very important.

"The team wants to win every competition they enter and why can't we go out and try to win all three?

"I'm sure the boys would love to win the T20 or get a trip to Lord's in the 40-over competition.

"We have a team that is packed full of talent and the team has shown in the past they can compete, so we should be aiming high."

Notts have not won a one-day trophy since claiming the Sunday League title in 1990, despite several near-misses.

Lumb's arrival is seen as a real boost in the shorter forms of the game, but he believes they could be on the cusp of glory anyway.

"I wouldn't say improving in T20 is just down to my influence," said Lumb. "The team have already shown they are well capable by reaching the knock-out stages in the last two seasons.

"Maybe I can add a bit of something at the top of the order. Along with Alex (Hales) we will look to be setting the tone at the start.

"I'm looking to bat at three in the four dayers, but it depends on what the team needs.

"That's where I always batted, or at number four, during my time at Hampshire and Yorkshire."

When Lumb's signing was announced, it was suggested he would almost certainly miss the opening stages of the 2012 County Championship because of his IPL deal with Deccan.

But he believes he could yet be in England for April and Notts' first fixture of the new campaign, saying: "I would like to be at Notts for all the season, right from the start, but that is down to the management.

"It is something we have to look at, especially if I am going to go out to the IPL and not play. I'm sure Darren (Lehmann, Deccan coach) and Mick (Newell, director of cricket) would look to sort it out."

Only after a busy next 12 months will it be clear if its mission accomplished for the ambitious Lumb.